Preschool teachers to strike as pay talks collapse

Date
    September 24, 2014


Preschool teachers will strike for 24 hours next month after negotiations for a new pay deal broke down.      

The Australian Education Union's Victorian branch expects about 400 preschool teachers and educators to join a rally on October 22. However, the union says more than 1000 teachers and educators are covered by the protected action.

It is not yet clear how many centres might be forced to close for the day.

The union has rejected a pay increase of 2.25 per cent, with issues surrounding workload and employee classification structures also proving to be stumbling blocks in negotiations.


The union's Victorian president, Meredith Peace, accused the major preschool employers of refusing to negotiate in good faith.      

Talks with the Early Learning Association Australia and the Municipal Association of Victoria broke down on Tuesday after more than 14 months.      

"Victoria's preschool teachers are currently paid between 5 and 9 per cent less than their school colleagues, respectively, at the beginning and top of the salary scale," Ms Peace said.

She said the previous agreement had achieved parity for preschool teachers with their primary school counterparts but that would disappear under the latest offer.

"We don't want to lose that parity. We think it's incredibly important in terms of retaining a highly qualified workforce and attracting people into the profession."

The union is negotiating two separate agreements with the employer groups, although their terms are largely the same, Ms Peace said.

Early Learning Association Australia chief executive Shane Lucas said he was disappointed with the union's withdrawal from negotiations.

"There are many things we can keep discussing with the union over and above the salaries," he said.

In an email to parents, the association said the union's actions demonstrated it was no longer interested in bargaining in good faith.

"Rather, the AEU wants to embark on a politically motivated campaign of protected industrial action to put pressure on the Victorian government – the principal funder of kindergarten services – ahead of the state election in November," the email said.

Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said early childcare centres run by 24 councils across Victoria would not be affected by the protected industrial action.

"We are determined to achieve a reasonable outcome which sees a new agreement that meets the genuine needs and expectations of employers and employees," he said.   

Uncertainty surrounded the future of preschool education until the federal government announced this month that it would continue subsidising the program for another 12 months.

The funding ensures four-year-old children will have access to 15 hours of preschool next year. Under the current agreement, the Victorian government funds 10 hours and the Commonwealth five.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/preschool-teachers-to-strike-as-pay-talks-collapse-20140924-10ldbb.html#ixzz3EHPBZ0ys

Unions shooting the workers in the foot yet again.

Increase costs will cost jobs.

2.25% is an insulting real money pay cut for people who do good valuable work in our community. The employer has become mean nasty unreasonable and selfish. A fair result for these people at the low end of incomes is affordable and reasonable.

Dnarever wrote on Sep 25^th, 2014 at 10:36am:


Where is it written that you must always have a real increase in wages?

If the economy is slowing, profitability is down, business is taking a drop in income why not the worker?

Swagman wrote on Sep 25^th, 2014 at 10:52am:


Where is it written that you must always have a real increase in wages?


Most normal employees don't but it has not been the same in management for decades where most increases have averaged many times the inflation rate. Probably not relevant to this industry but even in this area a modest increase would be easily affordable.

St George of the Garden wrote on Sep 25^th, 2014 at 11:54am:


Shhh ! Don't mention the 'P' word.

Swagman wrote on Sep 25^th, 2014 at 10:52am:


Why not the politician including your heroes?